CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Test 11 — 15 Questions

Question 1

Why is a northbound API valuable to orchestration systems in a controller-based architecture?

Accepted Answer

It provides a defined software interface through which orchestration tools can interact with the controller.. A northbound API is valuable because it provides a defined software interface for orchestration systems to interact with the controller programmatically. Option B is incorrect because northbound APIs do not enable direct device-to-device communication; that is a function of the data plane. Option C is incorrect because northbound APIs are logical software interfaces, not physical cables or ports. Option D is also incorrect as it mischaracterizes the API as a hardware standard.

Answer

It allows network devices to communicate directly with each other without the controller.

Answer

It is a physical interface used to connect the controller to the orchestration system.

Answer

It is a physical cable standard for controller uplinks.

Question 2

Why is JSON often preferred over completely unstructured text in API responses?

Accepted Answer

Because JSON provides structured, machine-readable data that software can parse consistently.. JSON is preferred because it gives software a predictable structure to parse. In practical terms, an application can look for keys, values, arrays, and objects instead of trying to interpret a free-form text paragraph meant mainly for human readers. That makes programmatic processing far more reliable. This is one of the main reasons JSON is so common in controller APIs and automation tools. It is about structure and machine readability, not encryption, authentication, or HTTPS.

Answer

Because JSON automatically encrypts the payload.

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Because JSON replaces the need for authentication.

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Because JSON is the same thing as HTTPS.

Question 3

Match each REST-style method to the action it most commonly represents.

Accepted Answer

GET - Retrieve, POST - Create, PUT - Replace, PATCH - Partial Modify, DELETE - Remove, HEAD - Headers only. REST methods are standardized: GET retrieves, POST creates, PUT replaces, PATCH partially modifies, DELETE removes, and HEAD retrieves only headers.

Answer

GET - Retrieve, POST - Update, PUT - Create, PATCH - Delete, DELETE - Replace, HEAD - Headers only

Answer

GET - Retrieve, POST - Create, PUT - Update, PATCH - Replace, DELETE - Remove, HEAD - Headers only

Answer

GET - Retrieve, POST - Create, PUT - Replace, PATCH - Update, DELETE - Remove, HEAD - Headers only

Question 4

Match each data-structure term to its most accurate meaning.

Accepted Answer

Key: Field name. These pairs correctly match data-structure terms to their definitions. Array uses indices, hash table uses key-value mapping, stack is LIFO, queue is FIFO, linked list uses nodes with references, and tree is hierarchical.

Question 5

Which two statements accurately describe JSON in network automation contexts?

Accepted Answer

It is a structured data format that software can parse reliably.. JSON is widely used in network automation because it provides structured, machine-readable data. In practical terms, software can reliably identify keys, values, objects, and arrays without having to guess meaning from free-form text. That makes it a common format in modern APIs.

The important point is that JSON is a data format. It is not the API itself and it is not the secure transport that carries the data.

Answer

It is the encryption protocol that protects the API session.

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It replaces the need for authentication.

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It is the same thing as a southbound API.

Question 6

Which two statements accurately describe software-defined networking and network virtualization concepts at a basic CCNA level?

Accepted Answer

SDN is associated with more centralized or programmable control of network behavior.. At a basic level, these concepts point toward more abstracted, software-driven ways of controlling or delivering networking capabilities. SDN is associated with more centralized or programmable control behavior. NFV is associated with delivering network functions in virtualized software form instead of relying only on fixed-purpose hardware.

The goal here is conceptual recognition, not deep architectural implementation detail.

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Both terms are just new names for subnet masks.

Answer

Both terms replace the need for routing protocols completely.

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Both terms refer only to wireless client roaming.

Question 7

A JSON response from a controller contains a list of interfaces, each with its own name and status fields. Which JSON structure is most likely used to represent that list?

Accepted Answer

An array of objects. The most likely structure is an array containing objects. In practical terms, an array is the natural way to represent a list of similar items, and each item can then be an object with named fields such as name and status. This is a very common pattern in API payloads.

The question is testing structure recognition, not programming syntax mastery.

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A single scalar string only

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A wildcard mask

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A route metric table

Question 8

Drag each automation or API concept from the left to its corresponding description on the right. Not all descriptions are used.

Concepts:
- Northbound API
- Southbound API
- JSON
- HTTPS

Accepted Answer

Application-facing interface to the controller. Northbound API: the application-facing interface of an SDN controller, allowing apps to request services. Southbound API: the interface that enables the controller to configure managed devices, such as OpenFlow. JSON: a structured data format using key/value pairs and arrays, lightweight and machine‑friendly. HTTPS: secure, encrypted transport for API communications, protecting data in transit. Distractors: 'Human-readable serialization format' describes YAML, not JSON or APIs. 'Protocol for network device configuration' might refer to NETCONF or CLI, not HTTPS or the APIs listed.

Question 9

Match each programmability term to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

API: A set of protocols and tools for building software applications, specifying how components should interact.. Each term is correctly matched with its standard definition in software development and API contexts.

Answer

API: A programming language used to write automation scripts for network devices.

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API: A hardware component that connects network devices to the internet.

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API: A security protocol that encrypts data transmitted over a network.

Question 10

Which two statements accurately describe why APIs and human-oriented CLIs are both still useful in network operations?

Accepted Answer

APIs are useful for structured, repeatable software-driven interaction.. APIs and CLIs are both useful because they serve different operational strengths. In practical terms, APIs are better for repeatable software interaction and structured automation, while CLIs remain valuable for direct human troubleshooting and ad hoc inspection. Mature environments often use both depending on the task.

This is not an either-or question. It is about fit for purpose.

Answer

APIs make all CLIs obsolete in every situation.

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CLIs are only useful for configuring initial device settings and cannot be used for monitoring.

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Neither interface should ever return structured data.

Question 11

A REST API call uses the GET method against a device inventory endpoint. What is the most likely intent of the call?

Accepted Answer

To retrieve information from the endpoint.. The most likely intent is to retrieve information, not to create or delete it. In practical terms, GET is commonly used when a client wants to read state or inventory data from an API endpoint. This is one of the most basic REST-style concepts in network automation.

The key is to associate method semantics with likely operational intent.

Answer

To delete the endpoint from the controller.

Answer

To replace the endpoint with a new resource.

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To force the device into PPP mode.

Question 12

Match each REST-style method to the most common intent.

Accepted Answer

GET - Retrieve a resource. RESTful methods map to CRUD operations: GET retrieves, POST creates, PUT replaces, PATCH partially updates, DELETE removes, and OPTIONS returns allowed methods.

Answer

GET - Create a new resource

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POST - Retrieve a resource

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PUT - Partially update a resource

Question 13

In a REST-style API, which method is most commonly associated with retrieving information?

Accepted Answer

GET. GET is the method most commonly associated with retrieving information. In practical terms, when a client wants to read state, inventory, or configuration details from an API endpoint without modifying the resource, GET is the expected choice.

This is a core automation vocabulary question and works well as an easier confidence-building item.

Answer

DELETE

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POST

Answer

PUT

Question 14

Which two statements accurately describe why structured telemetry and APIs improve operational tooling?

Accepted Answer

They make it easier for software to process known fields consistently.. Structured telemetry and APIs improve tooling because they reduce ambiguity and make automation more reliable. In practical terms, software can collect and compare known fields, counters, and states without brittle text parsing. That supports dashboards, reporting, and automated checks much better than relying only on human-oriented command output.

This is a broad operations-and-automation value question rather than a protocol memorization item.

Answer

They eliminate the need for secure transport or access control.

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They force all devices to stop supporting CLI access.

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They are used only on wireless LAN controllers.

Question 15

Match each automation-related term to the description that best fits it.

Accepted Answer

Idempotent: An operation that can be applied multiple times without changing the result beyond the initial application.. The question requires matching automation-related terms to their correct descriptions. Idempotent means that an operation can be applied multiple times without changing the result after the first application. Declarative is a style where the user defines the desired state and the system determines the steps to achieve it. Imperative is a style where explicit step-by-step instructions are given. Orchestration refers to the automated coordination of multiple systems or services to complete a workflow. Each description aligns precisely with these concepts.